After an automobile accident, you can make an insurance claim without a police report. Although having a police record helps make the claims process go more smoothly, it is not essential to file or authorize a claim. However, whether or not you are legally compelled to file a police complaint is determined by the laws of your state.
If anybody is wounded, you are required by law to submit a police complaint in most states. If property damage reaches a specific value, you may be required to make a police report, however the actual amount varies widely by state.
Is police report necessary for insurance claim?
Due to the sheer amount of vehicles on the road in India, traffic density can be extremely high. Even if you drive cautiously and follow all traffic laws, accidents might happen. The procedure for filing an automobile insurance claim after an accident has changed throughout time. Certain procedures have become easier to follow thanks to advances in technology and the digitization of key transactions. Continue reading to find out what you should do if you are involved in an accident in India.
Procedure For Making a Car Insurance Claim After Meeting an Accident:
After an accident, claiming automobile insurance requires a thorough understanding of the procedure for filing a claim with your insurance carrier. A step-by-step approach to filing an automobile insurance claim is provided below:
Inform Your Insurance Company:
Make a call to your insurance carrier to report the collision and provide specific details about the damage to your vehicle. Make sure you don’t withhold any information from your insurer, as this could make resolving claims more difficult.
File an FIR with the Police:
Notify the police right away about the accident and, if necessary, file a First Information Report (FIR). In the event of theft, traffic accidents, or fire, a police report is required. If the dents and scrapes are minimal, you may not need a FIR. You’ll also need it if there’s a third party involved in the collision.
Take Pictures:
Make sure you take plenty of photos of the damage and the accident site. Ensure that the images are clear and that the damages are evident so that the insurance company can assess the degree of the physical damage and settle the claim appropriately.
Submit Required Documents to the Insurer:
The insurance company will need certain papers to process the claim, such as a copy of the insurance policy, a copy of the FIR, the owner-license, driver’s driver’s a copy of your car’s registration certificate, and so on. For a stress-free journey, make sure you submit these paperwork and engage with your insurer.
Get Your Car Repaired:
You can have your vehicle fixed at a garage. You might also request that the car be repaired through your insurance provider. If your claim is approved by the insurer, you will be refunded or compensated for your loss.
In The Case of Theft:
If your car is taken, notify your insurance company and submit a police report at the nearest police station. Send the insurance company documentation like the RC, your driver’s license, your FIR, and so on. If the police are unable to locate the vehicle in a reasonable amount of time, a non-traceable certificate will be issued. Following that, the insurance will resolve the claim and pay you the current market value of your vehicle.
Documents Required To Make a Car Insurance Claim:
Submitting the required documentation is one of the most critical components of filing a claim on your car insurance. The following is a list of papers that must be submitted when filing an automobile insurance claim:
Additional Documents in Case of Reimbursement Claim:
You will need to supply additional papers to the insurance provider if you want your automobile fixed with your money and then file a claim for reimbursement. The following documents are required in the event of a reimbursement claim:
How do I claim car insurance without police report?
No insurance company will consider your claim without a FIR, and no FIR will be issued if you do not notify a cop. As a result, you must receive your FIR copy as soon as possible. Lack of critical information After an accident, most individuals are preoccupied with gathering information such as the driver’s name, license number, and so on.
What happens if there is no police report for a car accident?
Many accident claims require determining fault without a police record. Insurance firms gather information and evidence from all parties and any accessible witnesses when they don’t have access to police records.
That’s why, in addition to taking other efforts to safeguard their claim, motorists should gather their own evidence after an accident by taking photos and/or video, getting copies or photos of identification and insurance documents, and obtaining contact information from other drivers and witnesses.
The law sometimes assigns blame based on the sort of accident that occurred. Consider the following scenario:
Rear-end collisions: The driver who collided with the back of another car is almost always at blame.
Left-turn collisions: The driver making the left turn is usually always at fault in these collisions.
How important is a police report in a car accident?
While a police report is not required when submitting a claim for compensation for your injuries in a vehicle accident, it does provide crucial information to the insurance company. Furthermore, it is an independent third-party description of what happened from a police officer qualified to investigate automobile accidents, which can be highly persuasive to an insurance adjuster handling your claim. Similarly, not having one damages your claim because it makes the accident appear trivial and unlikely to result in serious injuries.
Furthermore, a police report offers a plethora of data. Here is some of the information that a police report might provide to assist you prove your case:
- The incident is documented. The date, time, and location of the accident will be recorded in a police report. If the careless driver tries to dodge blame by denying the collision occurred, this can assist you in documenting the incident.
- This page contains contact information. The police report will supply you with contact information for the other motorist and his insurance company, which you’ll need to make a claim, as well as information regarding witnesses to the accident.
- Statements. The police officer will record your and the other driver’s remarks and incorporate them in the police report. This will tell you how the other motorist believes the accident occurred, and it may include incriminating admissions in which he confesses fault. Furthermore, the officer may include witness testimony that could substantiate the other driver’s negligence.
- What happened was described in detail. The police officer will give a description of how the accident happened as well as his conclusions on who was at fault. The report will also detail any vehicle damage, injuries sustained by victims, meteorological conditions, and any relevant variables that contributed to the incident.
- Diagram. A diagram of the accident scene and the point of impact during the crash is frequently included by police personnel.
- Photographs. In significant incidents, the police report may include photos or video taken by the officer of the accident scene, car damage, and other details.
- Citations. Any tickets issued to any of the drivers involved in the incident will be noted in the police report.
Inform Your Insurer
As soon as the accident occurs, you must notify your insurance company. The sooner you notify us, the faster we can resolve your claim. It’s important to remember that you may only file a claim for the coverage within a certain number of days of the accident. Any claim submitted after that time is deemed ineligible. To get the details, you must either confirm it with your insurer or read the policy documentation.
File an FIR
As quickly as possible, file a First Information Report (FIR) with your local police station. The accident report is required in order to make a claim on an automobile insurance policy. If at all possible, register a FIR on the day of the accident, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Evaluate the Status of Damage
The damage or loss appraisal is carried out by the surveyor sent by the insurance company after you’ve filed a FIR and informed your insurer. Your insurance company will satisfy claims for damages under the cashless settlement claim or reimbursement settlement claim, whichever you prefer, based on the surveyor’s final report.
To avoid any potential damage, it is also recommended that you do not tow the car alone.
Claim Settlement
The repair fees are directly reimbursed with the network garage when the surveyor submits the final report. If you choose the reimbursement settlement claim process, claims are resolved once you submit repair amount invoices to your insurance.
You should be aware that, while your insurance company will cover the majority of the repair costs, you will be responsible for a portion of the overall charges.
How do I make an insurance claim for a car accident?
How do I make a car insurance claim? To get the most out of your automobile insurance policy, notify your insurance provider as soon as possible about the accident and the extent of the damage, as well as the police.
If your claim is true, your insurance provider will reimburse you after evaluating your car and other factors. Here are some tips to help you make a successful claim for your damages:
Call your car insurance company right away and let them know about the accident. Due to the time constraints, you must notify the insurance of the accident within seven working days, failing which your claim settlement period will be considered lapsed. You must supply important papers such as softcopies of your driver’s license, car registration certificate, FIR, and the first two pages of your insurance policy to file a claim. A thorough letter submitted to the Road Transport Office may also be required (RTO).
In the event of a car theft, fire, or road accident, including third-party damage, notify the police and submit a FIR, as this is a required step in the car claim settlement procedure. In cases where the car has dents and scratches, the FIR might be avoided. When there is a physical harm or a third-party accident, it is a necessary. The police will go to the scene to assess the problems and determine whether or not the accident was caused by mechanical failure. The FIR will also include all pertinent information on the driver, the vehicle, the passengers, and any witnesses or other relevant information.
You must also file a claim with the Motor Collision Claims Tribunal in the jurisdiction area where the accident between you and the third party occurred. It is only required in the event of an accident involving a third party.
Some folks would rather submit a compensation claim. In these situations, photographing the scene of the events can be beneficial. You can take a few images of the accident scene, including your car damage, bodily injuries, and so on, and use them as proof throughout the claim settlement process. You can also write down the names, phone numbers, and addresses of your witnesses and third parties (if any) so that they can assist you throughout the process.
Following the filing of the FIR, the next stage is to settle the claim. It can only begin if all of the necessary documents have been submitted to the insurance company. Ensure that all copies of documentation such as your driver’s license, car registration certificate, FIR, and other essential information are submitted.
Make a claim with your insurance carrier and request that they assign you a surveyor to do a comprehensive inspection. You can also file a claim online by visiting the insurance company’s website or other web portals, if they offer such a service. In the event of a cashless claim settlement, a representative from the insurance company will be dispatched to assess all of the serious damage to your vehicle. He’ll direct you to the appropriate garage network, where your car can most likely be towed. The insurance company will tow the vehicle to confirm that there are no additional damages. The survey is usually conducted within one to two working days of receiving notification of a car insurance claim.
Get your automobile fixed and start the insurance claim process. There are two methods for settling a claim. If someone desires a cashless claim, they will not be responsible for the cost of repairs. In such instances, it is recommended that the car be taken to one of the insurance company’s network garages. Only the deductibles must be paid by the policyholder; the remainder is covered by the insurer. If someone pursues a compensation claim, on the other hand, he or she will be responsible for all damages. In this instance, he must provide the insurance company with original bills, receipts, medical reports, photographs, and other documents. After deducting all deductibles, the insurance will reimburse the entire repair cost. The policyholder can get his car repaired at his preferred shop.
When your auto insurance company determines that your claim is valid, it will reimburse you according to the terms and conditions of your policy. The amount of money you’ll get back and the events you’ll be insured for will all be determined by the sort of automobile insurance policy you have. According to the Motor Tariff Act of 2002, third-party insurance is required in India, and it will only cover the cost of damages caused by the involvement of a third party. The comprehensive auto insurance policy provides a greater range of coverage under a single policy umbrella, and you can supplement it with additional add-ons.
Because the claim settlement process can be a little confusing, policyholders should carefully study the policy paperwork that the insurance provider delivers them. All reports on inclusions and exclusions will be detailed. A lawyer’s third opinion can also be obtained in this case.
Can I claim insurance if I damage my own car?
- Call your insurance carrier as soon as possible after the accident to report the damage.
- Make a claim with your insurance company and request that a surveyor be assigned to assess the damage.
- If your insurer allows it, you can also submit your claim online.
Documents required to make a claim:
The insurance provider may need certain documentation from you in order to validate and approve your claim. You must submit all required papers for the claim as well as complete the claim form. The following is a list of papers that you must present when filing an automobile insurance claim:
Formalities for making a car insurance claim
In the event of an automobile accident, the policyholder has two options for filing a claim: third-party and own damage. After an accident, follow these steps to file a claim:
- Third-party claim: In cases where a third-party vehicle has caused damage or harm to you or your vehicle, you can file a third-party claim against the other vehicle owner. If you are unable to work as a result of the accident, you may be eligible to recover medical expenses as well as compensation for personal injury, property damage, and loss of earnings. If there is a death, compensation can also be requested.
In the case that your car collides with another vehicle and causes damage to a third-party vehicle, on the other hand, your insurance will cover the damages, loss, injuries, and deaths that you caused to the other party.
- Obtain the insurance information for the vehicle that caused the damage to your car and notify that vehicle’s insurer of the occurrence.
- Immediately notify your insurance carrier of the situation. Make sure you notify your insurer about the accident within the time limit.
- Then, with your insurer’s help, file a third-party claim. If you’ve been injured, you’ll need to file a third-party claim against the vehicle’s owner. In the event that your vehicle causes injury, death, or property damage to a third party, you must file a claim with your insurance provider.
- Call the police and register a First Information Report by contacting the police helpline number (FIR). In the FIR, make sure to include the following information:
- After that, you must make a claim with the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in the region where the accident occurred, or with the tribunal in the area where you (the claimant) and the third-party (the defendant) both live or conduct business.
- Own damage claim: If your insured car is damaged or lost as a result of an accident, you can make an own damage claim. The medical bills and repair costs incurred as a result of the accident will be covered by your insurer. You will, however, need to verify the extent of the harm or loss caused by the accident. Only if you have a comprehensive insurance will you be entitled for this claim.
Points to remember:
- Make a thorough examination of yourself and your vehicle to see if any significant injuries have occurred. You’ll have to determine whether or not to seek medical care based on the severity of the damage.
- Make your claim within the time window set by your insurance carrier, which is usually 24 hours.
- In the event of a delay, the claim may be rejected.
- Take down the license plate number, model, and color of the other vehicle involved in the collision.
- Speak with any witnesses who were present at the time of the accident and take down their names and contact information.
- You might need to contact them again in the future to figure out who caused the mishap.
- You can avoid filing a claim if you discover that the damage is limited to the car and is minor. Make a thorough assessment of the issue and make an immediate call.
- Avoid getting into a dispute with the third party, since this will only add to the confusion.
- If you’re not sure what you’re going to do next, don’t say anything to the cops or the insurance company.
- Only move the car from the accident scene for repairs or other purposes if the police and insurance company agree.
- You must submit all required papers for the claim and complete the claim form. An inspection of the vehicle may also be required.
- If your automobile insurance policy includes a cashless claim option, drive your vehicle to a network garage for repairs and take use of the cashless service to avoid paying for insured damages out of pocket. The insurer will cover the cost of the workshop.
What documents are required for insurance claim?
You will need the following documents to use your motor insurance to file a claim in the event of an accident or damage to your vehicle:
FIR (Only in cases of theft, third-party injury/damage, or highway accidents)
What do you do after a minor car accident?
- The law requires you to halt your car at the scene of an accident (section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988). If it is not safe to stop your automobile right away, look for a nearby refuge spot where you can pull over and stop. This could be a hard shoulder on a highway or a side street off a major main road.
- Someone may be hurt as a result of the accident, depending on its severity. Examine yourself first, then your passengers, as well as any other individuals involved, including pedestrian witnesses, for injuries. If an ambulance is required, dial 911.
- If a car is on fire, or if passengers are injured or trapped inside a vehicle, or if the collision has caused a roadblock, emergency services must be called. Call 101 if you don’t need an emergency response.
- You are required by law to share information with the drivers of the cars involved, including both the driver’s and the vehicle owner’s names and addresses (unless they are one and the same). Failure to do so constitutes a criminal offense. Your insurance company will also need this information to process any claims. Make a note of car identification markers (registration plate, make, and model) for all vehicles involved and exchange driving license information (take a photo) for contact details.
- In order to evaluate fault and liability, insurance firms use facts from the accident scene. Always attempt to obtain as much information as possible regarding the accident scene. Take pictures of the accident site and the damage to the automobiles involved. Take careful notes on essential details such as the time of day, weather, traffic, and driving conditions. All of this data may be beneficial to insurers and law enforcement. Exchange contact information with any passers-by or witnesses who can corroborate your account of what happened. You’ll be able to develop a strong remember of the collision if you take careful notes on all of the people and vehicles involved.
- You should contact your insurance company as quickly as possible to share all of the information you acquired at the accident scene. If you decide to pursue a claim, your insurance carrier will contact all other parties involved to determine fault and liability and to settle all claims. You can schedule car repairs after your insurance company has been notified of the accident. Find out more about how to fix your car after an accident.
Do you have to notify your insurance company of an accident?
Yes, you must notify your insurer if you have been in an accident. You should write your insurance a letter informing them of the situation.
However, make it clear that this is for ‘information only’ and that you are not making a claim.
This should prevent your insurance from settling with the other party’s insurer without your permission.
Timeframe to inform your insurer
Even if you don’t want to file a claim, it will be a provision of your insurance policy that you report the accident to your insurance company within a reasonable time.
Check your policy’s terms and conditions, but if it doesn’t specify a timeframe, try to do it as soon as feasible.
If you fail to do so, your insurance company may refuse to cover you in the future.
Right to request insurance details
Even if no one was hurt in the collision, anyone who holds you liable for it has the right to ask for your insurance information.
Failure to submit your insurance information without a good reason is also a crime.
An injury sustained at the time of the accident would be a valid excuse.